Pressure on Israel in the Gaza war is growing. South Africa submitted an urgent application to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to order Israel to allow aid into the sealed-off coastal area.
Hopes are fading that an agreement on the release of hostages and a temporary ceasefire will be reached before the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, which begins around March 10. If efforts by mediators the United States, Qatar and Egypt fail, Israel is threatening a military operation in the city of Rafah during Ramadan.